Importance of non-profits discussed at EDA Roundtable

SILVER CITY >> Those attending the Gila Economic Development Alliance Roundtable on Friday in Silver City learned about the economic impact of non-profits upon the community.

The Gila Economic Development Alliance, whose purpose is to foster economic development in the area by retaining and expanding businesses and jobs, is made up of business leaders in Grant County.

"I am here to talk about non-profits and how to build resilient non-profits," said Lisa Jimenez, an independent consultant, who manages the Non-Profit Resource Group for the National Center for Frontier Communities.

The NCFC was organized in 1997, with specific goals to represent rural and frontier communities on the policy level.

"We are a hybrid, providing consulting to non-profits and acting like a chamber for non-profits," Jimenez said.

She said the model the NPRG uses is based on solid research.

"We take an organization and build on its assets. We do a 90-minute facilitated assessment process," Jimenez said. "Then, we come back to the organization with our findings and we create a roadmap for the organization. We have a 23-member pool of consultants to address capacity gaps."

Jimenez said the group assigns a consultant, who is paid on a sliding-fee scale, usually between $25 and $45 an hour, with the full rate being $75 an hour.

She said the group has worked with LifeQuest to revamp its processes.

"We are now working with the Guadalupe Montessori School, and we have worked with an Eddy County non-profit for road safety," she said. "We are helping the Silver City Public Library with its assessment and strategic planning."

"A very popular service is our free Wednesday morning Curbside Consulting, which helps non-profits get off to a good start," Jimenez said. "We ask questions such as, can you raise funds and be sustainable? Can you manage a board of directors? If the non-profit does not have the capacity, we can connect them with another non-profit for their good idea. We have one right now that will dissolver with parts going to other non-profits."

She noted that non-profits are naturally collaborative, especially in rural and frontier communities.

"We do a yearly assessment survey, which helps the non-profits and helps us set up needed trainings and workshops," Jimenez said. "We've done a training conference on a Friday. Next time we do it we want to attach it to an event, so people stay in town an extra day or two."

She said the group is working on developing an executive director roundtable to create a support group and maybe develop a shared services model, for back office support for non-profits.

Jimenez said a House Memorial was passed last session to look at state contracting with non-profits. "There are large barriers, such as a lot of paperwork, red tape and getting paid in a timely manner."

She said she is also part of the Grant County Community Foundation and Give Grandly, which raised almost $94,000 in 24 hours for local non-profits.

"It's hard to get a handle on the economic impact of non-profits," Jimenez said. According to a 2006 report by UNM Bureau of Business and Economic Research, one out of 20 paid workers works for a non-profit, creating about 17,000 jobs and paying $468 million in wages and salaries.

"In Grant County, about 9 percent of the workforce works in non-profits bringing in nearly $25 million into the community," Jimenez said.

"Non-profits provide services that governments can't and private entities won't because they can't make a profit," she continued. "Non-profits support the arts and culture, health and safety, concerts, protect the environment, teach literacy and education for young kids."

Jimenez said non-profit's are an important part of the social safety net.

"It's about the quality of life and standard that makes a place attractive to come to and maybe relocate a business to," Jimenez said. "Non-profits are deeply connected to the community. They are natural collaborative partners, and they are innovative and creative."